Closure assembly

ABSTRACT

A closure assembly comprising a unitary frangible outer closure member and a liner member disposed within the closure member. The outer closure member having a top panel provided with an annular top panel portion and an inner top panel portion. The inner top panel portion having a recessed integrally formed ring pull tab connected to the annular top panel portion by means of an upwardly and radially outwardly directed connector portion. The integral ring pull tab is disposed radially inwardly of the annular top panel portion and at a level spaced below the plane of the annular top panel portion. The inner and outer edges of the ring pull tab are curled downwardly and transversely inwardly. The liner member has a panel with a diameter at least as great as the inner diameter of the annular top panel portion and it defines an upwardly open recess for receiving the integral ring pull tab. The liner may have a skirt which extends downwardly generally parallel to the skirt of the closure.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Charles J. Lefllult, Jr.

Richmond, lnd.

1211 Appl. No. 832,317

[22] Filed June 11, 1969 [4S 1 Patented Aug. 3, 1971 I 73] Assignee Aluminum Cunpany of America Pittsburgh, Pa.

[54] CLOSURE ASSEMBLY l0 Chins, 6 Drawing Pb.

521 US. Cl. 215/46 A, 215/40. 215/39, 215/95 511 m. 01. B650 43/02. I 43/02, 865d 23/00, 865d 41/10 1501 Field 61m 215/39, I 46.5; 220/54, 42

[ References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,387,955 10/1945 Tilson 215/465 x 3.223,279 12/1965 Wheaton 220/54 x 3,480,173 .ll/l969 \Vheaton 3,441,163 4/1969 LaBangeetal.

Primary Examiner-George T. Hall Auomey-Amold B. Silverman ABSTRACT: A closure assembly comprising a unitary frangible outer closure member and a liner member disposed within the closure member.- The outer closure member having a top panel provided with an annular top panel portion and an inner top panel portion. The inner top panel portion having a recessed integrally formed ring pull tab connected to the annular top panel portion by means of an upwardly and radially outwardly directed connector portion. The integral ring pull tab is disposed radially inwardly of the annular top panel portion and at a level spaced below the plane of the annular top panel portion. The inner and outer edges of the ring pull tab are curled downwardly and transversely inwardly. The liner member has a panel with a diameter at least as great as the inner diameter of the annular top panel portion and it defines an upwardly open recess for receiving the integral ring pull tab. The liner may have a skirt which extends downwardly generally parallel to the skirt of the closure.

PATENTEU Aus 31971 3. 596, 790

SHEET 1 [IF 2 INVENTOR. CHARLES J. LEFTAULT, JR.

A! Iarney PATENTEDAus 3:911

sum 2 0r 2 1 FIG. 4.

o 7 0 PRODUCT 0 OOO .96 94 F/G'. 5. J 9

INVENTOR. CHARLES J LEFTAULT, JR.

A r forney CLOSURE ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has been known to provide closures which incorporate an integral opening device which facilitates, removal of the closure to provide access to the contents. In recent years there has been a preference for closures having a frangible region defined by scored or lanced lines, with an operating lever provided to facilitate ease of score line severance. Such pull tabs have either been independently fabricated and subsequently secured to the closure or integrally formed with the closure.- Such closures are shown in:U.S. Pat. Nos. 758,273, 1,170,152 and 3,130,056.

It has also been known to provide a frangible outer closure of the type described above with an underlying liner which is adapted to serve both as a sealing gasket and a convenience reclosure in instances where the contents of the container are not completely exhausted with the first use. Such closure is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. l,075,l25 and 1,312,581.

One of the problems frequently encountered with closures.

of this variety isthe difficulty of obtaining manual engagement of the closure. Pull tabs which depend downwardly from the closure skirt as is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,130,056 are more easily gripped than those provided withinthe closure top panel. The presence of such a depending tab, however, presents additional problems with respect to ho'ppering and sealing of such closures. Wlth respect to closures providing a weblike pull tab within the closure top panel, difficulty in engaging the tab and applying a suitable tearing force is encountered. This problem is particularly acute with respect to closures of smaller diameter.

It has been known to attempt to strike a balance between these two approaches and optimize the benefits by providing an integrally formed pull tab which depends from the closure skirt, but is folded upwardly onto the closure top panel. See US. Pat. No. 1,127,357. This form of closure-while easing the problem of obtaining manual engagement of the pull tab, without materially interfering with sealing, nevertheless results in a serious problem frequently encountered with respect to closures having a top panellocated pull tab. These structures frequently have a portion of the pull tab extending upwardly from the closure panel to provide an irregular top panel configuration. During hoppering of such structures these upwardly projecting tabs or tab portions have a strong tendency to engage other closures and thereby result in hopper clogging with the resultant stoppage of production.

Also, such projections frequently prevent vertical stacking of sealed containers having such closures. As an additional hazard with respect to sealed containers, inadvertent engagement of the projecting pull tab portion may result in fracture of the closure. Such fracture may be such as to destroy the sealed integrity essential to protective enclosure of the container contents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The liner member which has a continuous panel portion of at least as great a diameter as the upper annular top panel portion may be provided with a depending skirt. This skirt may be either longer or shorter than the outer closure member skirt depending upon the container material, the container finish and the type of seal sought to be obtained.

The closure outer member can be provided with weakened lines and specifically configurated notched portions which assist in initial severance and closure removal, respectively. The weakened lines are located generally radially outwardly of the connecting portion and may be on both the top panel and depending skirt. The notched sectors originate at the inner edge of the annular top panel portion and extend radially outwardly therefrom. One of these notched sectors is positioned generally diametrically opposed to the weakened lines.

It is an object of this invention to provide a closure assembly having an integrally formed top panel pull .tab which is structurally designed for improved ease of manual engagement and provides no projection beyond the normal top panel elevation.

It is another object of this invention to provide such a closure which has an integrally reinforced recessed pull tabwhich is receivedv within a recess defined by an underlying liner member.

it is another object of this invention to provide such a closure wherein the liner member is adapted to initially provide a sealing member and subsequently to serve as a convenience reclosure.

It is another object of this invention to provide such a closure assembly which may be readily hoppered, handled, affixed to containers and facilitates vertical stacking of sealed containers all without requiring any meaningful modification to sealing equipment and equipment required for handling the sealed containers.

These and other objects of this invention will be more fully understood from the following description of the invention on reference to the illustrations appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container sealed by a type of closure contemplated by this invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a form of closure assembly of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevational view of the closure shown in FIG. 2 taken through line 3-3.

FIGS. 4 through 6 illustrate several variations of this invention showing differing container finishes and materials, line configurations and closure-anchoring structures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more specifically to FIG. 1, it is seen that a container 2, shown as a bottle, has a closure assembly 4 sealed thereto. The closure assembly 4 has an outer closure member 6 and a liner member 8. The outer closure member 6 has a top panel 10 and a depending skirt 12. Within the top panel 10 is positioned an integrally formed ring pull tab 16 which is generally centrally disposed with respect to the top panel 10 and overlies liner member 8. weakened lines 20, 22, 24 facilitate fracture of outer closure member 6 during closure removal.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, it is seen that the top panel 10 has an outer annular portion 26 and an inner portion 28. The inner portion contains the integrally formed ring pull tab 16 and an upwardly and radially outwardly disposed connector portion 30 which is preferably flexible and secures the integral ring tab to the outer annular top panel portion 26. The ring pull tab 16 is generally horizontally disposed and is spaced'below the plane of the annular top panel portion 26, which in the form shown is fiat. The ring tab 16 has an inner edge 32 which is curled downwardly and generally radially outwardly. The ring tab 16 also has an outer edge 34, which, except for the region of the connector portion 30, is curled downwardly and generally radially inwardly.'The ring pull tab 16 is of generally circular configuration and is spaced radially inwardly from inner edge 36 of annular top portion 26.

The liner member 8 has a continuous base panel 40 and a generally flat peripheral portion 42 with an upwardly and radially outwardly inclined transition portion 44 connecting the panel 40 with the peripheral portion 42. A liner member skirt 46 depends downwardly from the outer extremity of peripheral portion 42. The liner configuration therefore defines a recess 48 into which integral ring pull tab 16 is received. The recess 48, as a result of the height and inclination of transition portion 44, is of sufficient depth to receive the pull tab 16 at a position spaced beneath the plane of annular top panel portion 26. In the form shown, the liner member 8 defines a channel 50 into which an annular gasket 52 is received. It will be appreciated that as an independent sealing gasket 52 is provided in this form, liner member 8 may be made from a substantially rigid material such as aluminum or laminates of a compressible material to a substantially rigid material.

As was stated above, the closure is designed for ease of intimate manual engagement of the ring tab 16 for efficient application of a closure fracturing force. The outer closure member 6 contains structural features which facilitate increased ease of closure fracture and removal after fracture. As is shown in FIG. 2, weakened lines 20 and 24 which may be either scored or lanced are disposed in spaced generally parallel position and are oriented generally radially. In the form shown, the spacing between weakened lines 20, 24 is substantially equal to the width of connector portion 30.

Connector portion 30 is preferably relatively narrow in order to more directly and efficiently transmit the pulling force applied to ring tab 16. The connector portion is preferably contained within a circumferential arc of about to 40 employing the closure center as a reference point. The score lines originate at a point spaced radially outwardly of opening 54, which is disposed intermediate ring tab 16 and annular top panel portion 26, and terminate radially inwardly of the outer extremity 56 of annular top'panel portion 26. At lease one additional skirt score line 22 (FIG. l), which may be generally aligned with lines 20, 24, may be provided. Depending upon the depth of weakening of lines 20, 22, 24, they may be shortened or lengthened for a particular closure.

Additional removal-assisting features are notched portions,-

6t), 62. These notched portions are of value after the weakened lines 20, 22, 24 have been fractured to destroy circumferential integrity of outerclosure member 6. These' notches 60, 62 serve as joints which facilitate separation of the confronting free edges of the severedouter closure member. They provide regions of the annular top panel portion of reduced width and thereby contribute to the ease of removal of the fractured outer closure. Notch 60 is disposed generally diametrically opposed from weakened lines 20, 24 and may be employed as a sole joint or ligament element. In the preferred form, however, notch 62 is provided substantially midway along a circumferential are between notch 60 and connector portion 30.

Notches 60, 62 are of generally triangular configuration and originate at inner edge 36 and extend radially outwardly to apices disposed generally midway between inner edge 36 and outer extremity 56.

In addition to the integral ring pull tab which facilitates improved manual engagement and the weakened lines 20, 22, 24 which facilitate closure fracture, the closure anchoring system provides a firm securement of the closure to the container.

The closure assembly is adapted to be secured by means of the skirt 12 of the outer closure member 6 in order to provide sufficient restraint against removal of the closure as an unfractured unit during application of force to the ring tab 16 to fracture weakened lines 20, 22, 24. Depending upon the form of liner member 8 employed and closure skirt configuration, the closure may be applied to various forms of container structures. For purposes of illustration and not limitation, several of the advantageous closure assembly structures and container finishes will be illustrated.

In the form illustrated in FIG. 4, outer closure member 66 has a top panel 68 incorporating an integral recessed ring tab 70 of this invention. The outer closure member 66 has a depending skirt 72 which terminates in .a hollow bead 74. In the form illustrated, hollow bead 74 is curled inwardly, but it will be appreciated that the bead might, if desired, be curled outwardly. The liner member 76 has a depending skirt 78 of greater length than skirt 72 of outer closure member 66. Sealing is effected on the top and side surfaces of container mouth 80 through compression of the depending liner skirt 78 between the outer closure member 66 and the container mouth 80.

In the form shown in FIG. 5, the container mouth is plastic and provides a shoulder 84 which is engaged by reentrant or hooked edge 86 of closure skirt 88. (An exaggerated gap between shoulder 84 and hooked edge 86 is shown for clarity of illustration.) The exterior container finish 90 is sloped downwardly in such fashion as to freely permit movement of the closure skirt 88 downwardly thereover during closure affixation. Upward relative separating movement, however, is prevented by engagement of hooked edge 86 of the shoulder 84. In this embodiment, it is also noted that liner member 92 terminates in a outwardly directed substantially horizontal flange 94 with an enlargement 96 at the end thereof. The liner member 92 has a substantially vertical transition portion 98, which connects flange 94 with base panel 100 and determines the depth of the tab-receiving recess.

In FIG. 6 it is noted that the closure is anchored to shoulder of container mouth 112 by means of an inwardly directed annular rib 114 on closure skirt 116. ln-this form as in those shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, portions of the liner member 118 are compressed between the outer closure and the container finish to provide an effective seal.

Another advantage of this invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. The base 120 of a sealed container 122 is shown resting upon annular top panel portion 124. It is noted that the uppermost portion of integral ring tab 126 is spaced below the plane of annular top panel portion 124 by distance a, which is preferably about one-sixteenth to one-fourth .inch. No interference with normal vertical stacking of the filled containers is provided by any portion of the pull tab 126 or connecting portion 128.

With-respect to materials, the outer closure member should beinade of a deformable material which may be secured to the container with a compressed interposed gasket material. It should be capable of being provided with weakened lines and the integral tab of this invention. One such suitable material is aluminum. With respect tothe liner material, a number of suitable compressible materials having suitable sealing properties may be employed. Among the suitable economical lining materials are a polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and butyl rubber, as well as combinations thereof including plastisols adhered to a panel of substantially rigid or generally noncompressible material. Where an independent gasket member such as a ring liner 52 is provided, the liner may be made from a substantially rigid material, such as aluminum, for example. It will be appreciated that as a major portion of the center of the top panel is opened, the liner panel will serve in some regions as the sole barrier resisting the entry of contaminants and various foreign articles into a sealed container.

The closure of this invention therefore provides an integrally' formed ring type pull tab which is adapted to facilitate maximum manual engagement of the tab. The structure is such that no portions of the tab or related structure projects in interfering position beyond the outer annular portion of the closure top panel. Thus, conventional hoppering, handling, sealing and vertical stacking of sealed containers are permitted, while substantially improving the opening characteristics of the container. Various means for anchoring the closure to a container may be provided in order to effectively restrain the closure from unitary translational movement during the application of a pulling force to sever the closure along the weakened portions. The liner member may serve both as a sealing gasket and a convenience reclosure in instances where the contents of the container are not completely exhausted immediately after initial opening of the container.

While specific illustration of a compressible liner element has been made, it will be appreciated that the liner may be made from a substantially rigid material, such as aluminum or tin plate, for example, or other suitable materials and be provided with an independent gasket element or adhered gasket material.

Whereas particular embodiments of the invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details may be made without departing from the invention as described in the appended claims.

I claim:

I. A closure assembly comprising a unitary frangible outer closure member,

a liner member disposed within said outer closure member,

said outer closure member having a top panel and a depending skirt,

said top panel having an annular top panel portion and an inner top panel portion,

said inner top panel portion having an integrally formed ring pull tab connected to said annular top panel portion solely by means of an upwardly and radially outwardly directed connector portion,

said integral ring pull tab disposed radially inwardly of said annular top panel portion, and disposed at a level spaced below the plane of said annular top panel portion,

an elongated slot defined within said unitary frangible outer closure member between said annular top panel portion and said integral ring tab,

said elongated slot originating on one side of said radially outwardly directed connector portion and terminating at the opposite side of said connector portion,

said integral ring pull tab having integral reinforcing means,

said liner member having a panel having a diameter at least as great as the inner diameter of said annular top panel portion,

said liner panel defining an upwardly open recess, and

said integral ring pull tab disposed within said recess.

2. The closure assembly of claim 1 including said liner panel having a continuous generally flat centrally disposed base portion, a generally flat peripheral portion and an upwardly and radially outwardly directed transition portion connecting said base portion and said peripheral portion,

the radially innermost portion of said annular top panel portion disposed at a level not lower than the upper part of said connector portion,

said integral reinforcing means of said integral ring pull tab having an inner edge which is curled generally radially outwardly and an outer edge which is curled generally radially inwardly, and

said depending skirt of said outer closure member having substantially uniform length.

3. The closure assembly of claim 2 including said annular top panel portion of said outer closure member having a pair of spaced generally radially outwardly directed weakened lines,

said integral reinforcing means having an inner edge which is curled downwardly and radially outwardly and an outer edge which is curled downwardly and radially inwardly,

said liner member having an annular skirt depending from said flat peripheral portion, and

said liner skirt is shorter than said outer closure skirt.

4. The closure assembly of claim 2 including said top panel of said outer closure member having at least one notched sector originating at the inner edge of said annular top panel portion and extending radially outwardly therefrom for facilitating removal of said outer member after initial fracture of the outer closure member.

5. The closure assembly of claim 4 including one said notched sector disposed at a position substantially diametrically opposed to said annular top panel weakened lines,

a second notched sector disposed within said annular top panel of said outer closure member substantially circumferentially midway between said weakened lines and said first notched portion, and

said notched sectors are of generally triangular configuration with the apices of said triangles providing the outer terminus of each said notched sector.

6. The closure assembly of claim 5 including said integral ring pull tab having a radially outward extremity positioned below and spaced radially inwardly from said inner edge of said annular top panel portion, and

an annular gasket secured within a channel defined by said annular liner member top panel and said liner member skirt.

7. The closure assembly of claim 6 including at least one generally vertically disposed weakened line provided on said skirt of said outer closure member generally aligned with one of said spaced weakened lines on said top panel.

8. The closure assembly of claim 7 including said connector portion of said outer closure member is contained within a circumferential arc of about 5 to 40,

the uppermost portion of said integral ring pull tab is disposed about one-sixteenth to one-fourth inch under the plane of said annular top panel portion, and

said annular top panel portion is substantially flat.

9. A sealed container assembly comprising a container having a mouth provided with a radially outwardly directed closure engaging shoulder,

a closure assembly sealingly afi'txed to said container mouth,

said closure assembly having a unitary frangible outer closure member and a liner member disposed within said outer closure member,

said outer closure member having a top panel and a depending-skirt,

said top panel having an annular top panel portion and an inner top panel portion,

said inner top panel portion having an integrally formed ring pull tab connected to said annular top panel portion by means of an upwardly and radially outwardly directed connector portion,

said integral ring pull tab disposed radially inwardly of said annular top panel portion, and disposed at a level spaced below the plane of said annular top panel portion,

an elongated slot defined within said unitary frangible outer closure member between said annular top panel portion and said integral ring tab,

said elongated slot originating on one side of said radially outwardly directed connector portion and terminating at the opposite side of said connector portion,

said integral ring pull tab having integral reinforcing means,

locking means formed within the lower half of said outer closure member depending skirt for resisting removal of said outer closure member as an unfractured unit,

said liner member having a panel having a diameter at least as great as the inner diameter of said annular top panel portion,

said liner panel defining an upwardly open recess, and

said integral ring pull tab disposed within said recess.

10. The sealed container assembly of claim 9 including the radially innermost portion of said annular top panel portion disposed at a level not lower than the upper part of said connector portion,

" said liner panel having a continuous generally flat centrally disposed base portion, a generally flat peripheral portion and an upwardly and radially outwardly directed transition portion connecting said base portion and said peripheral portion,

said liner base portion disposed within the opening of said container mouth, and

a portion of said liner other than said liner base portion interposed and compressed between said outer closure member and said container mouth. 

1. A closure assembly comprising a unitary frangible outer closure member, a liner member disposed within said outer closure member, said outer closure member having a top panel and a depending skirt, said top panel having an annular top panel portion and an inner top panel portion, said inner top panel portion having an integrally formed ring pull tab connected to said annular top panel portion solely by means of an upwardly and radially outwardly directed connector portion, said integral ring pull tab disposed radially inwardly of said annular top panel portion, and disposed at a level spaced below the plane of said annular top panel portion, an elongated slot defined within said unitary frangible outer closure member between said annular top panel portion and said integral ring tab, said elongated slot originating on one side of said radially outwardly directed connector portion and terminating at the opposite side of said connector portion, said integral ring pull tab having integral reinforcing means, said liner member having a panel having a diameter at least as great as the inner diameter oF said annular top panel portion, said liner panel defining an upwardly open recess, and said integral ring pull tab disposed within said recess.
 2. The closure assembly of claim 1 including said liner panel having a continuous generally flat centrally disposed base portion, a generally flat peripheral portion and an upwardly and radially outwardly directed transition portion connecting said base portion and said peripheral portion, the radially innermost portion of said annular top panel portion disposed at a level not lower than the upper part of said connector portion, said integral reinforcing means of said integral ring pull tab having an inner edge which is curled generally radially outwardly and an outer edge which is curled generally radially inwardly, and said depending skirt of said outer closure member having substantially uniform length.
 3. The closure assembly of claim 2 including said annular top panel portion of said outer closure member having a pair of spaced generally radially outwardly directed weakened lines, said integral reinforcing means having an inner edge which is curled downwardly and radially outwardly and an outer edge which is curled downwardly and radially inwardly, said liner member having an annular skirt depending from said flat peripheral portion, and said liner skirt is shorter than said outer closure skirt.
 4. The closure assembly of claim 2 including said top panel of said outer closure member having at least one notched sector originating at the inner edge of said annular top panel portion and extending radially outwardly therefrom for facilitating removal of said outer member after initial fracture of the outer closure member.
 5. The closure assembly of claim 4 including one said notched sector disposed at a position substantially diametrically opposed to said annular top panel weakened lines, a second notched sector disposed within said annular top panel of said outer closure member substantially circumferentially midway between said weakened lines and said first notched portion, and said notched sectors are of generally triangular configuration with the apices of said triangles providing the outer terminus of each said notched sector.
 6. The closure assembly of claim 5 including said integral ring pull tab having a radially outward extremity positioned below and spaced radially inwardly from said inner edge of said annular top panel portion, and an annular gasket secured within a channel defined by said annular liner member top panel and said liner member skirt.
 7. The closure assembly of claim 6 including at least one generally vertically disposed weakened line provided on said skirt of said outer closure member generally aligned with one of said spaced weakened lines on said top panel.
 8. The closure assembly of claim 7 including said connector portion of said outer closure member is contained within a circumferential arc of about 5* to 40*, the uppermost portion of said integral ring pull tab is disposed about one-sixteenth to one-fourth inch under the plane of said annular top panel portion, and said annular top panel portion is substantially flat.
 9. A sealed container assembly comprising a container having a mouth provided with a radially outwardly directed closure engaging shoulder, a closure assembly sealingly affixed to said container mouth, said closure assembly having a unitary frangible outer closure member and a liner member disposed within said outer closure member, said outer closure member having a top panel and a depending skirt, said top panel having an annular top panel portion and an inner top panel portion, said inner top panel portion having an integrally formed ring pull tab connected to said annular top panel portion by means of an upwardly and radially outwardly directed connector portion, said integral ring pull tab diSposed radially inwardly of said annular top panel portion, and disposed at a level spaced below the plane of said annular top panel portion, an elongated slot defined within said unitary frangible outer closure member between said annular top panel portion and said integral ring tab, said elongated slot originating on one side of said radially outwardly directed connector portion and terminating at the opposite side of said connector portion, said integral ring pull tab having integral reinforcing means, locking means formed within the lower half of said outer closure member depending skirt for resisting removal of said outer closure member as an unfractured unit, said liner member having a panel having a diameter at least as great as the inner diameter of said annular top panel portion, said liner panel defining an upwardly open recess, and said integral ring pull tab disposed within said recess.
 10. The sealed container assembly of claim 9 including the radially innermost portion of said annular top panel portion disposed at a level not lower than the upper part of said connector portion, said liner panel having a continuous generally flat centrally disposed base portion, a generally flat peripheral portion and an upwardly and radially outwardly directed transition portion connecting said base portion and said peripheral portion, said liner base portion disposed within the opening of said container mouth, and a portion of said liner other than said liner base portion interposed and compressed between said outer closure member and said container mouth. 